Chris Kramer   --  1982
The Burlington Record, Burlington, Colorado
Thursday, Feb. 4, 1982

      Christian Jacob Kramer, son of Frank Kramer and his wife Fredericka (nee Adolf) was born at the family home north of Bethune (Colorado) on Jan. 4, 1899.  He was baptized in the Christian faith on Jan. 6, 1899, and was confirmed in Immanuel Lutheran Church on March 16, 1913.
      Chris grew up and lived in the Settlement community all his life, and his chief vocation was farming.  He was active in many community affairs and served on the school board, the Co-op board, 4-H and the Farm Bureau.  He was a life long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, and was an officer on the church council, and actively involved in many areas of the life and mission of the congregation up to the time of his death.
      On Oct. 25, 1925, he was united in marriage with Mary Stahlecker.  To their union, three children ; were born: Lorena (Mrs.  Alvin Buchholz) of Grand Junction, Max of Bethune, and Edward of Colorado Springs.  Chris and Mary made their home on a farm north of Bethune, until 1958 when they purchased a home in Burlington.  Chris continued to work with the farming operation for a number of years, and was also active in Senior Citizen projects in Burlington up to this very year.  Chris was named "Senior Citizen of the Month" for January 1982.
      He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, three sisters, two half-brothers and four half-sisters.
      Chris leaves to mourn his passing, his wife; two sons; one daughter; one son-in-law, two daughters-in-law (Mildred and Lucille Kramer); 13 grandchildren and five spousal  grandchildren. They include Brad Buchholz and his wife Melanie; Doyle Buchholz and his wife Karen; and Ron and Greg Buchholz, all of Grand Junction.  Also Sherry Friesth and her husband Larry of Colorado Springs; Steven Kramer and his wife Christine of Burlington; and Stanley and Nathan Kramer of Bethune.  Also Linda Flim and her husband Steven of Colorado Springs, and Debra Douglas and Robert Kramer of Colorado Springs.  Also Donna Dugger of Oklahoma City, Okla.  Also three great-grandchildren, Byron Kramer of Burlington, and Holly and Christopher Dugger of Oklahoma City.  Also a goodly number of cousins, nieces and nephews.
      One brother, William Kramer of Bethune, and one sister, Pauline Kloeckner of Burlington, remain to mourn his passing.
      Chris enjoyed his retirement years.  He was never idle, loved to work in his garden, and keep up his home, and spent much of the time of his retirement years in projects involving his church, including the upkeep of Immanuel Cemetery.  He enjoyed and appreciated his family and many friends and was greatly loved by all who knew him.
      Chris was blessed with good health most of his life, but in recent years had been hospitalized at various times.  He became very sick in December and was hospitalized in St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs where he spent Christmas and also celebrated his 83rd birthday there.  He endured three sessions of surgery, but was unable to recover from his last operation.  He passed quietly from this life in the early morning hours of Jan. 24, 1982, at the age of 83 years, 20 days.
      Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 1:30 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in the Settlement, with Pastor Howard Jacobson officiating.  Lois Jacobson was the organist, and the congregation sang three hymns which were Chris' favorites: "Lord Take My Hand," "Jesus Still Lead On," and "Let Me Go." Jean Weisshaar accompanied the men's choir which sang "Going Down the Valley" and "Alone with God".
      Chris' grandsons were honored to serve as casket bearers.  The honorary pallbearers were Cecil Crist, Floyd Carter, Harvey Lambert, Orvel Aeschlimann, John Bryner, Albert Strobel, Jake Weisshaar, George Wiedman and Ernest McArthur.
      After a brief graveside committal service the burial took place in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.